The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with the support of the European Union through the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, is exploring with its Member States best practices and experiences in certified electronic signatures. The aim is to define a roadmap towards a common and concerted approach to the digital economy and society, including e-commerce and e-government.

For two days, during an online workshop organised from 26 to 27 March 2024 by ECOWAS with technical support from the European Union, through the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, experts from ECOWAS Member States shared their knowledge and experience, Drawing on the Malabo Convention and the ECOWAS additional act on electronic transactions, they discussed the Community’s priorities to be considered in the development of a regional electronic signature certification policy and the technical approach required.

In his opening address on behalf of the Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Sediko DOUKA, the Principal Programme Manager for Internet, Cyber Security&E-applications, Mrs. Folake OLAGUNJU, reiterated the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to coordinating the region’s digital transformation. This is reflected in programmes addressing, among other things, e-government and e-commerce, which are recognised as crucial foundations for a digital economy and society, and justify the growing adoption of online services worldwide.

In her view, in order to guarantee the confidence of citizens and businesses and ensure their full participation in the digital world, particularly in e-commerce and e-government, it is essential to overcome the associated challenges, particularly those relating to digital identity and the certified electronic signature, which are essential prerequisites for most legally binding interactions between users of online services.

The next speaker, Ms Céline LHOSTE, Team Leader for Regional Cooperation at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, recalled at the opening session of the workshop that the support provided to the ECOWAS Commission is part of the Global Gateway Strategy and the commitment made in February 2022 at the EU-African Union Summit to support the continent in favour of a green and inclusive transition, providing growth and decent jobs, in particular through the implementation of a EUR 150 billion investment package in transport, energy and digital infrastructures. The support provided to ECOWAS for the organisation of this workshop is a first step towards establishing collaboration aimed at creating a harmonised and secure regional digital environment, conducive to e-governance and e-commerce, and beyond that to the establishment of a single digital market contributing to the deepening of regional economic integration.

During this workshop, which testifies to the alignment and deep commitment of the ECOWAS and EU institutions to digital transformation, the participants shared the progress update and prospects regarding the certification of electronic signatures at national level, in particular the regulatory aspect and the technical approach. The difficulties encountered in implementing the measures on electronic transactions in the Malabo Convention and the ECOWAS Additional Act were discussed, as well as the new challenges linked to the introduction of new disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Finally, the guidelines necessary for the development and adoption of the certified electronic signature were formulated to ensure confidence in e-commerce and e-government.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

There is hope for learners in rural schools to benefit from the higher education students’ loan scheme after Parliament adopted a recommendation introducing the district quota system. 

The recommendation was passed following the adoption of the Higher Education Students’ Financing (Amendment) Bill, 2024 during the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 chaired by Speaker Anita Among.

The Bill presented by the Minister of State of Education and Sports (Primary Education), Hon. Joyce Moriku, sought to give effect to the Government policy for rationalisation of government agencies and public expenditures adopted by cabinet.

The Committee on Education and Sports in a report presented by the chairperson, Hon. John Twesigye, however, disagreed with the Government’s policy on rationalisation, observing that mainstreaming the board under the education ministry would not cure the existing structural and operational issues associated with delivery of services.

“lnstead, mainstreaming of the board will lead to delayed decision making, disbursing of loans and loan recovery. The Higher Education Students Financing Board should be maintained as a semi-autonomous body, with a view of granting it vote status in the medium term for it to effectively discharge its mandate,” said Twesigye, also Bunyaruguru County MP.

Maracha County Member of Parliament, Hon. Denis Oguzu, dissented from the committee’s report, stating that the board should be dissolved and funds used for its operations should be channeled to the students’ loan scheme.  

He added, “There is no equity in the way this scheme operates as it largely favours students from well to do families. Today is an opportunity for us to ensure this money serves all regions.”

Oguzu further justified that the current selection process disenfranchises learners from rural communities without access to computers and electricity

“The board requires that you apply online, the infrastructure to achieve all this is largely missing in many parts and because of that we are missing out,” he said. 

The Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Chrysostom Muyingo, welcomed the minority report, saying that the ministry will develop guidelines under the Education Act to include the district quota system. 

“When we develop the guidelines, we have to emphasise the quota system. It has been working before and this money will be added so that when money is appropriated, each district will receive,” said Muyingo. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Speaker Anita Among has paid homage to the fallen former Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Dr Tom Okurut, who died after undergoing brain surgery at Platinum Hospital, Kampala on Sunday, 14 April 2024.

In memory of Dr Okurut, who was an environmental enthusiast, Speaker Among persuaded all Ugandans to plant at least five trees in his honour.

“When he was in NEMA [Dr Okurut] was very crucial in the enforcement of regulations that conserve the environment. He appealed to us to advise MPs to plant trees and conserve the environment,” Among said during a requiem mass of the decease held at St. Luke Church of Uganda, Ntinda, on Thursday, 18 April 2024.

“How I wish we would all plant five trees in memory of Dr Tom Okurut. Promise me that each of us here will plant trees in memory of Dr Okurut because that is what he was passionate about and that is the legacy he has left behind,” she said.

According to Among, Okurut whose expertise in environmental science shaped Uganda’s landscape, led by example and planted more than 5,000 trees. 

She asked the bereaved family to seek refuge in God, saying it’s only His love and comfort that is forever unconditional.

“To the widow, take heart, God is the husband of widows and father of orphans; we just have to glorify God. So, as we mourn Dr Okurut, we want to remember his unwavering commitment to the environmental protection cause,” Among added.

Okurut retired in July 2021 as the executive director of NEMA after serving two five-year terms since 2011. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, 20 April 2024 at Akadot, in Kumi District.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Global Affairs Canada (https://apo-opa.co/3UlInNr) has provided $7.3 million in funding to the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity and smallholder farmer livelihoods, particularly women and youth across Africa.

The financing will aid the Mechanism in replicating its credit guarantee programs, enabling fertilizer importers and aggregators to access the product on credit. It will also boost efforts to improve soil health and provide technical assistance to farmers.

Signed on 25 March 2024, the funding agreement between the earmarks CAD$10 million specifically to the Mechanism’s ‘Fostering Africa’s agricultural productivity through fertilizer value chain financing’ (FOSTER) program. Administered by the African Development Bank Group, the Mechanism provides innovative financing to accelerate fertilizer use in Africa and improve agricultural productivity across the Bank’s regional member countries.

“We thank Global Affairs Canada for its support to advance the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism’s implementation of its Strategic Plan 2022-2028, which focuses on broadening access to finance through capital investments and policy reforms, among other priorities that benefit Africa’s smallholder farmers,” said Dr Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.

Fertilizer is essential for food production, yet it is significantly underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa’s agriculture sector due to limited financing and technical know-how among farmers.

The FOSTER program targets 800,000 smallholder farmers, with 40% of beneficiaries expected to be women and 10% youth. It aims to provide access to and improve the utilization of 80,000 tons of organic and inorganic fertilizer, which is expected to increase yields by 30%.

Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, said: “Canada is proud to support resilient, climate-smart agriculture and adaptable food production systems in Africa. We remain committed to promoting inclusive, green growth in partnership with the African Development Bank, including through our contribution to the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism.”

Under the FOSTER program, the Mechanism will extend credit guarantee facilities to the inputs supply chain in eight African countries. The program will also facilitate the formulation of fertilizer policies and regulatory frameworks to foster gender-sensitive and sustainable soil management practices.

Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator of the Mechanism, welcomed Global Affairs Canada as a new member and expressed readiness to collaborate with Canada to fulfill the AFFM’s mandate effectively.”

The FOSTER program aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (https://apo-opa.co/3Q2yLVd), and the Malabo Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3Q3YJrF). The program also resonates with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and its efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. It also complements Canada’s “Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health” initiative to boost food security and sustainability.

This initiative seeks to overhaul African agriculture into a productive, competitive, and sustainable sector through national Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts that were developed at the Dakar 2 Food Summit in January 2023, co-organized by the African Development Bank.

Canada’s funding announcement comes just weeks ahead of the African Union Commission’s Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit scheduled for 7-9 May 2024 in Nairobi.

To learn more about the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, click here (https://apo-opa.co/3W642uA).

To learn more about Global Affairs Canada, click here (https://apo-opa.co/3UlInNr).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contacts:
Communication and External Relations Department
Email: media@afdb.org

Nelly Nguegan
Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism
Email: affm@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org